Public commenters press board on recovery services, arts funding and Stafford Road

Public comment at the June 25 Clackamas County meeting covered a range of community concerns that commissioners said they will continue to consider.

Mitchell Doig, an Oregon City resident and substance-use-disorder treatment professional, criticized board discussion about a proposed enforcement-focused ordinance—saying it risks creating a “bottleneck” that would make it harder for residents to access treatment and warning that rhetoric that frames healthcare as a moral failing harms public trust. Commissioner Ross publicly thanked Doig for testifying and described ongoing off-line conversations and the broader tension between harm-reduction services and building recovery treatment capacity.

Arts groups raised alarms about funding cuts. Susan Schenk, a board member of the Clackamas County Arts Alliance, told commissioners recent reductions would affect staffing and public-art programs established over nearly 30 years and urged reinstating support.

Residents also raised transportation concerns. Kelly Bartholomew of Save Stafford Road urged extra scrutiny for a consent-item roundabout project, saying the county should consider cumulative effects on the rural corridor. Les Pool and others urged attention to commercial mobility needs and preservation of community assets at the planned recovery campus.

Commissioners said public input will inform follow-up work: staff and commissioners repeatedly stated the short-term rental and Stafford items would be revisited as details emerge, and they invited continued written comments and attendance at future meetings.